Getting into Adventure Green
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Suzuki DRZ400<br />
Another stalwart of the overland<br />
scene, the 400 and the 350cc that<br />
went before it are the go to bike for<br />
those looking for reliability and<br />
capability. A tonne of after-market<br />
parts are available for the bike, with<br />
comfier seats, bigger fuel tanks,<br />
screens and panniers in abundance.<br />
Simple mechanics makes travelling<br />
cheap. They’re robust and can cope<br />
pretty well with motorway miles.<br />
Their popularity is currently reflected<br />
in their rising prices, with good<br />
ones fetching upwards of £2500. It’s<br />
a shame emission regulations killed<br />
them off. We’d love a replacement.<br />
HONDA CRF 250L<br />
A more modern and less powered<br />
alternative to the DRZ above, the<br />
little CRF is the go-to donkey in the<br />
trail and adventure world. Not a lot<br />
of power, and some criticise them<br />
for being too heavy, but this and<br />
the similar Kawasaki KLX250 are<br />
the bikes that people buy as second<br />
bikes and end up riding them the<br />
most. They’re robust and reliable<br />
to boot, Steph Jeavsons currently<br />
riding around the world on one.<br />
Parts are cheap and plentiful and<br />
even brand the new the bikes are<br />
just a little over £4000. A great tool<br />
for a multitude of purposes.<br />
SUZUKI BURGMAN<br />
This could be any one of the super<br />
scooters on the market at the<br />
minute, a style of bike that many<br />
might dismiss as not being capable<br />
or cool enough to consider. But the<br />
benefit is their manageability and<br />
above all their practicality. Underseat<br />
storage, cubby holes, a good<br />
screen, comfortable seat and usually<br />
built in charging points are what<br />
all adventure bikes should come<br />
with. You also find them popular<br />
with people who can’t manage the<br />
tall and heavy bikes anymore and<br />
see the super-scooters as a way of<br />
keeping on riding.<br />
SUZUKI VANVAN<br />
In either 125cc or the recently<br />
launched 200cc model, the little<br />
VanVan is something of a hidden<br />
gem. People overlook them, but<br />
as a bike that captures the essence<br />
of adventure and getting out there<br />
there’s not much better. Light, easy<br />
to manage, easy to ride and also<br />
incredibly capable in the dirt, the<br />
fat tyred VanVan is a cheap bike<br />
that opens up endless possibilities<br />
for L-plate riders or equally anyone<br />
who just wants to have fun on two<br />
wheels. People have ridden them<br />
to Mongolia and back and done so<br />
smiling. Great bikes.<br />
YAMAHA TDM 850/900<br />
Another overlooked bike except<br />
for those who’ve owned and ridden<br />
them and appreciated their simple<br />
ability to cover distances in a no<br />
fuss, no frills way. The original 850<br />
was down in price as low as £1200 in<br />
recent years, whilst the updated later<br />
model 900cc can be found for around<br />
£2000. A lovely twin cylinder engine,<br />
decent handling and a comfortable<br />
upright riding position means that<br />
the TDM will go anywhere and do<br />
just as much as a new bike, leaving<br />
you plenty left over to actually pay<br />
for the trip and enjoy it. Bikes like<br />
these are the essence of adventure.
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